AD-55: Chen Outraises Opponents Combined

In the 55th Assembly District race, Walnut Valley Unified School District Trustee Philip Chen raised more in three days in the race than all of his opponents raised combined for the entire race so far.

Chen reported $141,556 cash on hand, but $100,000 of that was a loan. Diamond Bar Councilman Steve Tye reported $26,029 cash on hand across three accounts. Chino Hills Councilman Ray Marquez reported $3,950 cash on hand. West Covina Councilman Mike Spence did not file an electronic campaign finance report, so we know he had raised less than $25,000. The sole Democrat in the race, Social Worker Gregg Fritchle, does not have an open account.

Chen’s $41,555 in contributions were all received in the last three days of the reporting period: December 28-December 31. Tye’s $33,194 in contributions all came in during the last three months of the reporting period, covering October 1-December 31. Marquez’s $3,950 in contributions came in during the last four weeks of the reporting period: December 5-December 31.

Interestingly, there were no transfers from any of these officeholders’ prior accounts. Of course, it could be because Chen’s school board account and Tye’s City Council account have negligible balances, as do their 2014 Assembly accounts. Marquez had closed his City Council account.

Chen and Tye have significant debt from their 2014 Assembly accounts, demonstrating that both are willing to spend their own money in the 2016 race. In their 2014 Assembly accounts, Chen owes himself $100,399 while Tye owes himself $57,600.